Flotation obe-sepabatdira apparatus



A. L. BLOMFIELD.

' FLOTATIION ORE SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1uLY15.1916.

Pil'fOlltQd July 15, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

A. L. BLOMFIELD. FLOTATION ORE SEPARATINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICAT ON FILED JULY 15 1916.

Patented July 15, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fa S'illlll In 7 IIIIII INVENTOR. A L. 5L UMP/[L 0 llli A. L. BLOMFIELD.

FLOTATION ORE SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATON FILED JULY 15. I9l6.

Patented July 15, 1919.

INVENTOR. A. L. 51. OMF/ELD j WITNESS: x a

W ATTORNE A. L. BLOMFIELD.

FLOTATION ORE SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICAT ON FILED JULY 15, I916.

Patented July 15,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 WITNESS:

- INVENTOR. A. L .BLOMF/ELD. Q)

ATTORNEY.

' -p ms and To all 'urhomit may concern Be itknown that I, Ame L. Bromrrnnma. subject of George'V, King of England, residingat- Denver, in the county of Denver and .State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful, Improvements in Flotation Ore Separating A parat us, of which the following isa spec cation. I This invention relates'to flotation ore sep- 10 arating; apparatus and its principal object I resides 1n pro ding an apparatus of simple construction which in its operation produces a; thprough andvrapidfintermixture of the oil or other reagent, and

mineral-carrying froth and the tailings associatedtherewith;

I attain this object, by providing in combinationwith a container of suitable form and proportions, an-air-lift which fulfils the tWo-foldpurpose of raising the orepulp toa determinate elevation and of impregnating the ascending column of material with air for the purpose of producing a froth in which the mineral particles contained in the pulp are entrapped.

Thedischarge from theairj lift enters a zonefin the upper portionof theivesselin which, the frothing action is completed by either the agitativef influence of the. con -stantIyiHflo mixture of, pulp and-air, agi 'tion,'or 'the use of-mechanical qj tirringdevicosl ,1,

" Th'e jStiHing means'in variance with those are designed=-twproducethe froth by very hich i isesto-the surface of the liquid, a' ithe s me-t m a agitage Ot'surfaeeammm- V 1" hingfjzqne 'is fsurrounded by a j settllngizonejnl fhichithe froth is collected cand" broughtto a. comparative condition of t"-forgthe; purpose of allowing the tailassociated with the froth to settle toarea ottomjof the container; w 'l hef mineral bearing froth is discharged fro th'e,v settling z on e itherg y n tural overflow or" by the impel it acrossthe edges ofone.

illers which 1 or'mor'e receiving 'launders.

By the use of means to mechanically pro'' 'pel the pulp vtoward the ingress opening of pleted as the commonly employed in fiotationapparatus,

with thevalue-carrying permitting it to take.

' the construction,

use of one or more skim- UNITEDSTATESPATENT-OFFICE. nnommnn, or coLonA'no; Assnmon if 1 conromnon or nnmwm. a V

drugs-Arron onn-snrnnhrme hummus.-

the air-lift, the container-iii the sepa ration processis carried on, can be made with an upright circumferential wall and'a sub-"- chucatype, in the elimination of pulp retain- To THE norm, court- Y, A Y

I Patented July 15, 1am. Application filed July 15,1916. Serial No. 109,503. i

mg surfaces andinr ermitting the use of a I comparatively shallow vessel.

It will be observed that in an apparatus of the construction described, the pulp is' moved to the surface of the liquid in the contamer once or many times; Themixture of the pulp with the air and reagentis'compulp 'is brought to the surface and at the surface the separation takes place almost directlgmin opposite manner from that of the or ary flotation cell's. he concentrates having receivedtheir buoyancy from material.

It will also be observed'that the opera.

tion of the apparatus-Ame heavier particles the addition of air and oil, rem ain on top While the gaugue settles out and sinks and inasmuch as the operation of the pulp can-be retained in-theconso lenty of time to correct; any'defe'cts due to aulty proportions of the or coarse concentrates tend 'tosink' to the bottom and are circulated more oftenIth'an the lighter particles: I

In this way a-more frequent and complete treatment is obtained aud t-he apparatusis thus is 0 viously subject to many variationsin practical forms, at present known to me,

adapted to treat the heavy concentrates.

quite as thoroughly as the lighter aind more easily floatable material. I f Q My improved apparatus as outlined, above form and arrangement ofv its cooperative parts, the simplestand most parts are similarly designated, and in V whichi w a I I -Figure1 is a partiallysectional plan view of a settling apparatus of the improved conistructio'n,

, i g a Vl'tial Section takefiaihgh line 22, Fig. 1 7. 7

Figs 3, 4' and 5, sectionsxsimilar a) that j which forms part of the invention,

'. the corresponding axis a shaft 7 which by means of a gearing 8 is connected with a conveniently located source Fig. 7, an enlarged transverse section taken along the line 7-'7, Fig. 6,

Fig.8, a vertical section taken through the upper portion of the container and Fig. 9 a similar section of the whole container of the apparatus, illustrating modifications in the construction of the dividingwall be tweenthe frothing and settling zones of the same,

Figs. 10 and 11., sectional views showing the application of my invention to containers of the Pachuca type, and

Fig. 12, a sectionalelevation showing the use of my improved apparatus in a series of successively connected units. I

Referring first'to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings my improved flotation ore separating apparatus comprises a cylindrical container 2provided With a substantially flat bottom 3 and supporting a structure 4:

' suitable for the suspension of the rotary parts included in its construction. V

A launder 5 surrounding the upper edge of the container serves to receive the overflowing froth and mineral, and auxiliary launders 6 branching radially-from the peripheral launder into the container, may if necessary, be provided to expedite the collection of the supernatant froth and effect its removalbeforerit is broken down by natural settlement.

. Mounted'in bearings on the structure 4, for rotation about a vertical axis alined with of the container is oflmechanical energy. The shaft carries adJacent its lower end an apertu'red head 9 for the suspension of an open-ended conduit 10' which constitutes the major part of an air-lift through which. material, settling toward the bottom of the container is lifted to a point ad acent the upper edge of the same.

'. The head has a number of openings through which" material issuing from the upper or egress end of-the conduit passes into the surrounding upper portion of the container which by means of a concentric partition 12 isdivided into a' central frothing, zone 13 and a surrounding settling The partition is in the construction shown in 6 made of a downwardly flaring form principally for the purpose of promoting by surface tension, the flotation of the froth overflowing its upper edge.

the sweeps, impelled to a .a float 20 governing.

nects with asupply of ai aunder pressure and serves in the operation to forcibly introduce a current of air into the conduit for the two-fold purpose in the conduit to the-egress opening at the upper end thereof, and of aerating the as cending columnfor' the production of a froth in the zone 13.. I v

A series of sweeps 16 composed of arms which extend radially from the lower end of the conduit, are designed toirnpelsettling material across the bottom of the container of lifting the material toward a central point beneaththe ingress openingof the air-lift. and arms 17 radiat ing from the shaft 7 above and in close proximity to the auxiliary'launders 6, serve as skimmers to movethe froth resting upon the surface of the liquid in the settlingzone, into said launders.

In the operation of the apparatus, the ore pulp is introduced into the container through a chute 18 which connects with an elevated source of'supply.

The pulp settling toward the bottom of the container is'by the revolving motion of central point heneath the ingress opening of the conduit and compelled to'a'scend vacuum created by the current of air constantly ejected from the nozzle 15.-

The pulp isaeratedwhile it ascends toward the upper end of the conduit and may at the same time .be impregnated with .oil or other suitable. reagent introduced into the conduit together withthe air, issuing from the'nozzle, or through a pipe'separate therefrom. I

the reagent has'been shown-in Fig. 3 1n therein by: the partial Which the reference character 19 indicat'esa pipe extending axially in connection with the lower end of the shaft 7 which in this instance is made tubular for the conveyance of a fluid introduced into .the upper end thereof.

The mixture of pulp, air'jand reagent discharged through the upper end of the con duit into the frothing zone, is by agitation converted into a froth which overflows and passes along the flaring sidei'of the same onto the surface of the aqueous mass in the container. p

The liquid in the'container is automatisally maintained at a determinate level by the movement of 'a valve 21 which controlsthe flow of a liquid through a discharge opening- 22 in the circumferential' wall of the container as shown in Fig. 9.

a lathe sett1ing zone,-the froth is brouglit the conduit in I i to a condition offcomparative rest which permits of aisettlem'ent of the tailings toward the-bottom of the container, whlle the mi1 1eral-beari ng.foam is collected in the launders 5 and 6.

' It will be seenthat in this manner a clean separation of the 'values and, 'g g le in metalliferous ore-pulp is effected. it being understoodthat someofthe tailings settle out of the materialin thefro'thing zone al.- though the greater-part is separated by gravitation while the froth-like matter is contained in theis'urrounding settling zone. The skimmersjexpedite the movement of .the froth intoxthe auxiliary l'aunde'rs, but I- desire 'itunderstoo'dthat unless the-froth produced in the operationof the apparatus tation', or

7 influence of the constantly V forcibl is very light and subject-to early settlement, both the skimmers'and' the-auxiliary laun= ders may be omitted andjthe froth collected by natural overflow intothe peripheral launder.

The agitation of the material within the .fr'othing zone is accomplished by either the introducedore-pulp and air, by mechanical agiby the introduction of air at a point separate from the egress-opening of the conduit. l

- The mechanical a'gitation may be accomplishedas shown in Fig. 4, by mountinga Series of agitating .blades23 adjacent the mouth of the conduit, on a shaft 24 which.

' extends through" a tubular shaft. from which the conduit is suspended and is rotated" independently thereof by connection with a source of captive powerat its upper end.

The mechanical agitation jof the contents ofpthe frothing .zone may also be accomplished by mounting propeller blades 25 on the head 9 from which the conduit is suspended, within the frothing zone, or by pro- Inthe censtr'uction deflector is iinounted above the openings vidingother stirring devices of suitable degl o agitate the material in the frothing. zone-by the introduction of air or other' fluid, I place in the'construction shown in r Fig. 2. aperforated tubular ring 26 around" the upper portiomof the air-lift-conduit, at the end of" a pipe 27 which connects with a. supply ofiair under pressure.

' In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 I

. accomplish the same objectby mounting below the frothing 'zone at the end of a supply-pipe 28, a hollow plate 29 whose upper surface is composed of a porous fabric through which the air issues in an infinite number of fine jets to thoroughly impregnate the ebullient mass within "the zone.

shown in Fig. 5, a

in the head 9 the upper end of the airconduit. This deflector which is composed of a'circular', slightly concaved disk, aids simple example of the frothing action by spreading the material issuing from the conduit and also has an agitative effect similar to that obtained by the blades 23 or 25 shown in Fig. 4.

A battle spaced from the upper portion of the dividing wall between the frothing and settling zones, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, may be provided to steady the movement of the'froth across the upper edge of the same. In the construction shown in Fig. 8, this ballle 31 is made in the form of an inverted conical frustum spaced from the outer surface of the similarly shaped, but reversely positioned partition v12. In the form illustrated in Fig. 9, both the partition 12 and the baflle 31? are made cylindrical which under certain conditions may be preferable inasmuch as it eliminates all surfacesobstructive to theflow of main consequence the diameter of the container may be reduced inasmuch as the material upon entering the .said zone through the restricted passage between the battle and the partition is immediately brought to a comparative condition of rest upon engaging the surface of the liquid inthe container.

It is in many cases necessary to vary the elevation at which the material lifted in the conduit is introduced into-the frothing zone.

This variation may be accomplished by any suitable adjustment of the conduit, a which is shown in Fig. 9, in which the conduithas at its upper end alongitudinal slot 32 for the egress of material.

A sleeve 33 slidingly surrounding the slotted portion of -the conduit, provides a gate to determine the point at which the material. is-discharged through the slot.

The frothing action may be still further expedited bydividing the air'bubbles in the ascending column of the mixture and thereby promotingthe thorough intermixture of the ore pulp, air and reagent before they enter the frothing zone.

In the form of myn invention shown in r Fig. 6 this object is acdomplished by dividing the conduit longitudinally into a number of compartments and introducing the an separately into said compartments .through a corresponding number of nozzles 35 connected with a header 36.

In Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings I have shown my invention applied to a tapering container of the Pachuca type. Fig. 10 shows a vessel 37 made in the form of an inverted cone, and Fig. 11 illustrates a tank 38 having an upright circumferential wall and a downwardly flaring bottom 39.

' surface of my invention may In both these forms of my invention the settling material slides along the sloping to a central point beneath the ingress-opening of the air-liftconduit.

The sweeps shown in the preferred form therefore be eliminated, and the conduit of the air-lift may if so desired be fixed with relation to the container.

In Fig. 10, Skimmers 4:0 for moving the froth into the launders 6', are mounted on a shaft 42 suspended above and in axial aline ment with the conduit 10, and in Fig.- 11 an agitator 41 is suspended from a shaft 43 inthe settling zone 13. v

In case it is desired to complete the separation process by retreatment of the settling tailings, a series of tanks similar to that hereinbefore described may be cooperatively combined as shown in Fig. 12 by connecting the outlet of each container, except the last one oft-the series, with the feed opening of the-next succeeding container.

. Having thus described my invention what- I claim and desire to secure vby Letters- Patent is:

1; In apparatus of the character described,

a container, a downwardly flaring partition dividing the upper portionthereof into 'a central frothing-zone and a surrounding settling-zone having an overflow for supernatant froth, and an air-lift having an ingress-opening adjacent the bottom of the container, and an egress-opening to discharge ascending material into the frothing zone.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a container, a partition dividing the upper portion thereof into at central frothing zone and a surrounding settling zone, an annular bafile spaced frdrn said partition to providea restricted pass'age'for the froth T from the. frothing zone into the settling- I zone,

and an a1r-lift having -aningressopening adjacent the bottom of the container, and an egress-opening to discharge ascending material into the frothing zone- 3. In apparatus of the character described,

divi central frothing zone and a surrounding said partition to provide a restricted passage forthe froth from the frothing zone into the settling-zone, and an air-lift having an ingress-opening adjacent I the bottom of the container, and an e ess- Opening. to discharge ascending materia into the frothing-zone.

a 4. In apparatus of the character described,

a container having in its upper portion a frothing zone and separate therefrom, a sett ling zone having an overflow for supernatant opening adjacent the bottom of the con 7 opening near a cogtainer, a downwardly flaring partition ing the upper portion thereof into a froth, an air-lift having an ingress-' tainer, and an egress-opening to discharge settling-zone,

the froth into said said" conduit to convey launder. 4

6. In apparatus of the character described, a container having its upper portion divided into a frothing-zone and a settling-zone, an air-lift including a rotary conduit having an ingress-opening near the bottom of the containerand an e ess-opening for the discharge of materia into the frothing-zone, and a deflector connected with the conduit and disposed above the egress-openin thereof for spreading material issuing t rough saidopening.

1 7. In apparatus of the character described,

a container having in its upper portion a frothing-zone and separate therefrom, a settling-zone, an air-lift having an ingressthe bottom of the container for discharging maand an egress-opening and means for terial into the frothing-zone,

foraminous member in connecimpelling settling material across said bottom toward said ingress-opening.

8. In apparatus of the character described,

a container having a substantially upright circumferential wall and a substantially level bottom-surface,flanannular partition dividing the upper portion of'saicl container into a frothing-zone and a settling-zone, an air-lift having an ingress-opening near the bottomof the container and an egress-opening for the discharge of material into the frothing-zone, and means for impelling settling material across said bottom surface toward said ingress-opening.

9. In apparatus of the character described,

a container having a substantially upright circumferential wall, an annular partition dividing the upper portion of said container into a frothingzone anda settling-zone, an air-lift havingan ingress-opening near the bottom of the container \and an egress-opening for the discharge of material into the frothing-zone,

and means for impelling settling material across said bottom toward said ingress-opening. V s

10. In apparatus of the character described, a container having its upper portion divided into a. frothing-zone and a settlingzone, an air-lift including a rotary conduit having an ingress-openingnear the'bottom said ingress-opening by the rotary motion of the same. I

11. In apparatus of the character described, acontainer having its upper portion divided into a frothing Zone and'a settlin -zone an air-lift havin an in ress a 7 b b opening near the bottom of the container and an egress-opening for. discharging ma-' tcrlal mto the frothing zone, and ad ustable means for varying the vation of the egress opening of the conduit.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a container having its upper portion divided into a frothing zone and a settling-zone, an air-lift including a rotary,

hollow shaft and a conduit suspended therefrom and having an ingress-openingnear the bottom of the container and an egressopening for discharging material into the frothing zone, and means for introducing a reagent through said shaft, into an ascending column in the conduit.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a container having in its upper portion a settling zone overflowing outside the container, and a zone divided from said settling zone and overflowing thereinto, an air-lift transferring material from the bottom portion of the container into the lastmentloned zone, and means for the agitation of material in the same zone after it is delivered thereinto by said air-lift 14.In apparatus of the-character described, a container havin in its upper portion a settling zone over owing outside the container, and a zone divided from sald settling zone and overflowing theremto, an airlift transferring material from the bottom portion of .the containerv into the last-men tioned zone, and means for the aerial agitation of material in the same zone afterit is delivered thereintoby said air-lift.

15. The combination of a subsidence vessel having an overflow, and in its upper portion, a separated zone provided with an overflow for the passage of material in liquid, onto the liquid-level established by the first-mentioned overflow, a transfer conduit for the conveyance of material subsiding in the vessel to a point of discharge Within said separated zone, means to efl'cct an upward flow of material in said conduit,

and a device separate from said means for the agitation of material within the zone.

16. The combination of a subsidence vessel, a rotary transfer conduit for the conveyance of material settling to the bottom of the vessel, to a point of discharge above a determinate liquid level, means on said conduit for moving material toward the entrance thereof, means to effect an upward flow of material in said conduit, a launder to receive floating matter skimmed off said liquid-level, and a skimmer on said conduit, to move said floating matter into the launder.

17. The combination of a subsidence vessel, a rotary transfer conduit for the conveyance of material settling to the bottom of the vessel, to a point of discharge above a determinate liquid level, means to efiect an upward flow of material in said conduit, a launder extending across the upper portion of the vessel to receive floating matter ALFRED L. BLOMFIELD. Witnesses:

G. J. ROLLANDET, i L. Rrroe'ms. 

